OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME :
Within WHO Programme Budget Category 5 "Preparedness, Surveillance and Response" and under the Programme area "Alert and Response Capacities", the objectives of the Department of Global Capacities, Alert and Response are to support national IHR capacity assessment, development and maintenance as well as to ensure further development and maintenance of an effective international system that is able to continuously assess the global context of public health risks (global risk assessment) and is prepared to respond rapidly to unexpected, internationally-spreading events and to contain specific public health threats.

The objectives of the Unit Programme are to support Regional Offices in building and maintaining priority IHR capacities identified by countries, i.e. national surveillance; laboratory and biorisk management and capacities for ports, airports and ground crossing; to monitor the progress of national IHR implementation and to provide an expert approach to capacity building and learning.

Description of duties:
Under the overall guidance of Director, GCR, the incumbent manages all activities related to WHO support to National IHR Capacity Assessment, Development and Maintenance. As Unit Coordinator, he/she ensures:

Provision of leadership and authoritative advice in the development of procedures, tools and guidelines pertaining to the following areas: Support to the development of guidance for national surveillance, in particular event based surveillance for early warning and response. Support to strengthening national laboratory system policies and strategic plans, to ensure that laboratory quality management and biorisk management systems are in place. Support countries to acquire IHR capacities at points of entry in a coordinated multisectoral approach as well as support emergency preparedness and response related to points of entry. Maintain and further develop a monitoring framework and related tools to assist countries in the development and maintenance of IHR capacities. Provide an expert approach to capacity building and learning in order to harmonize and support IHR related learning programmes and activities.

Human resources management: Provide supervision, guidance and careful evaluation of the performance of staff members. Encourage the unit and its staff to use and support multi-disciplinary, cross-cutting approaches to work where beneficial for accomplishing goals. Promote professional excellence in all aspects of work conducted by members of the unit.

Work/Activity management: Plan, manage and coordinate the work of the unit and its interaction with other units. Plan, manage and monitor the activities of the unit so that the work is technically excellent, effectively and efficiently conducted, completed to a high standard. Plan, manage and monitor the activities of the unit so that activities reflect the administrative and budgetary standards, guidelines, priorities and directions of WHO, Health Security and Environment (HSE) cluster and the Department. Allocate, monitor and ensure the timely and careful use of the unit's resources so that adequate support is assured. Proactively resolve situations which might pose a threat to WHO or its reputation by identifying and solving critical problems and negotiating and implementing measures to reduce risks.

Support to others and representation of WHO:Actively support the HSE cluster's priorities, goals, procedures and processes so that work of the cluster is successful and the reputation of WHO is enhanced. Collaboratively participate and support the Department Director in the development of new policies, concepts, tools and strategies and their implementation.

As this position is based in Lyons, France, the incumbent facilitates the relations between the Lyons local partners and the director of the Department. He/she takes first line responsibility for the management of the Lyons premises.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:Essential Advanced university degree in medicine, public health, pharmacy, or biology.

DesirableCertification in project leadership and management.

Skills:
Sound knowledge of the WHO rules and regulations as related to the subject matter, and of the relevant resolutions of the World Health Assembly and the Executive Board. Excellent inter-personal skills. Good communication skills with proven ability to write in a clear and concise manner. Tact, discretion and diplomacy.Computer literacy, and excellent presentation skills.

WHO Competencies:1. Communicating in a credible and effective way 2. Creating an empowering and motivating environment 3. Ensuring the effective use of resources4. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond 5. Promoting innovation and organizational learning.

Experience:
Essential At least ten years' experience working in one or several of the areas related to the function, of which at least five years at the international level, preferably within WHO. Proven experience in managing finances, budgets and staff, and clear proof of responsibility for management of work plan activities.

DesirableProven primary responsibility for managing cross-cutting initiatives involving different departments or organizational entities in a multinational context such as the UN, WHO or similar.

Languages:
EssentialExpert knowledge of English and French.

Additional Information:
Other similar positions at the same level may be filled from this Vacancy Notice. This vacancy is published in English only.

The following priority order will be observed in the screening of candidates: 1. WHO staff members (Continuing, Fixed-term and Temporary appointments), 2. External candidates.

Post Adjustment:
64.4 % of the above figure(s). This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.

This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.